- 40 years experience
- Adoption and foster care
- Helps with grief
About Barbara
Barbara Defazzio is a Florida-licensed mental health counselor with 40 years of professional experience. She previously ran a private practice in Massachusetts for more than two decades, then moved to Florida where she continued clinical work. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, and family concerns. Her tone is practical and steady, aimed at parents and caregivers who need clear support.
Barbara has long experience working with survivors of sexual and physical abuse and with people who have post-traumatic stress related to those experiences. She has also supported adults who spent time in the foster care system as children and has done post-adoption work helping families adjust to new relationships and roles.
In sessions she uses straightforward methods that help people name problems and try small, manageable changes. Her approach draws on client-centered work and goal-focused techniques to make progress feel realistic and measurable. She also uses strategies from cognitive behavioral and trauma-focused therapy when they fit the situation.
Clients can expect a collaborative, paced process that balances understanding past harm with practical steps for today. Barbara emphasizes clear communication and helping people build coping tools they can use between sessions. She encourages anyone feeling overwhelmed by loss, family strain, or the effects of past trauma to consider starting the conversation.
To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule based on therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and international clients are accepted.
How therapeutic approaches guide online work
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s experience and priorities. The therapist listens closely and follows what matters most to the client, helping them name feelings and set their own goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at unhelpful thoughts and habits and teaches practical skills to change them, which can help with anxiety, stress, and mood. Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on the aftermath of traumatic events and uses structured strategies to reduce distress and build safety in daily life.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods suit their needs and goals. That conversation can include trying an approach for a few sessions and adjusting as needed so the work feels useful and manageable.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find virtual work easier to fit into their day and to maintain between-session routines. Online sessions can make it simpler to schedule around work or caregiving, reduce travel time, and allow focus on talking and practicing skills without leaving home. The therapist will discuss what works best for scheduling, session length, and pacing during the initial matching and when planning treatment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Barbara commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, grief, trauma and family-related problems. Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care issues, attachment and caregiver stress.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a practical, collaborative style that emphasizes clear communication and manageable steps. Sessions blend listening with tools to try between meetings.
How long has she worked in the field?
She brings 40 years of professional experience, including over 20 years running a private practice in Massachusetts before continuing work in Florida.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Florida licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and practices from Florida.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment and cost work?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability, and services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.